What clubs or societies can i join?

LegacyUser

i'm a 20 year old unemployed male with very few friends my own age. my mother always tells me to find clubs or societies but apart from Taekwondo and other martial arts (which don't interest me one bit although I'm so desperate I'm seriously considering it), I can't find any! Left school after Junior Cert, never been to a disco, party or social event with people my own age because I have no friends and just feel I've missed out on so much. All my training course apps get rejected. Life is just....so lonely.

I live in Clare. If anyone can think of suggestions please, please reply. Preferably something that lasts a few weeks or goes on all-year round and people around my age are part of.

LegacyUser

I know you're not into martial arts, but may I recommend Thai Boxing.

I don't know clubs in Clare, but if you check out the martial arts forum here, I'm sure someone can help you out.

It's not your typical martial art, in that it forgoes the general "etiquette" perception most other styles embrace.
It' closer to regular boxing, but with kicks and knees.

In contrast to your traditional TKD or karate class, you can be sure of a great work out every time, and you go home feeling fresh and like a new man.

Combine that with weight lifting and gym work, getting your body in top shape, and that will do wonders for your social life as well.

Apart from that, see if there's any power lifting (olympic lifting) classes about in gyms near you.
Again, great for getting your body in shape, and a real motivating and fun way to stay healthy, mentally and physically.
If no classes about, just check out the youtube videos for technique, and start the training yourself.

Also, leaving home, finding a job, and standing on your own two feet, might not be a bad approach.

Zen65

heart_filled_with_sadness wrote: »

my mother always tells me to find clubs or societies but apart from Taekwondo and other martial arts (which don't interest me one bit although I'm so desperate I'm seriously considering it), I can't find any!

As previous poster said, you should try a martial art even just for the fun of it, and for the opportunity to meet people your age. Not everybody in the club will be madly enthusiastic about the MA, but it's a very good way to meet people. I know there is a Shotokan karate club in Ennis (though I don't know how good it is). Also in Ennis there is (or used to be) a reasonably active tennis/badminton club. Again the philosophy is the same... you join to meet people and get involved.

It does sound as though you have been a recluse for too long, and unless you make a change your life will just drift along. One day you could wake up at 30 years of age and find yourself suffering from depression because you have not lived. Get out now, meet people, make friends. Sports are a good way to go because you're more likely to meet people your age. Also, having a focus that is not drink-centred is important. In Clare there is a very active music scene, but it largely is focussed on the bars and pubs. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's healthier to also have an interest that is away from the bars.

I strongly suggest you should be looking for a job as well as trying to get on a training course. It's not just a matter of the money, but in order to build up your social skills it is best to mix with people in a structured way such as a job would provide you. Do you live in or near a mid-size town? I expect there would be opportunities for seasonal work in places like Ennis, Ennistymon, or Shannon. I know these town are not thriving, but getting yourself around the many shops, cafe's, restaurants, & even bars could uncover a job opportunity even if it's only for a few hours a week.

Be at peace,

Z

cafecolour

Well what are you interested in? Try googling 'Clare + XXXXX + club' and see what you get - i.e., i'd be looking to join: "http://www.clareoutdoorclub.net/" or "www.burrencyclingclub.com" - based on my interests, though these seem like a lot older crowd than you want.

You could also try asking in: boards.ie > Region > Midwest > Clare

Though, are you actually interested in learning a new activity? Or are you just looking for people to go to clubs/bars with? Because, outside of uni, a lot of people in activity-focused clubs are often in them as an alternative to clubs/bars.

Could you go to a college or similar looking to get your Leaving Cert?

LegacyUser

Thanks for the replies, appreciate it.

Yeah, i would be interesting in sport....just not martial arts. I suppose Adult Education is the way forward for me, but September feels so, so long away.

Tennis sounds okay I suppose, but do people actually play with randomers? I strikes me as something people do with mates they already have, like most things. I have no friends to use as a 'launching pad'.

cafecolour - I am interested in learning a new activity AND finding people to go to bars/clubs with. Either is cool.

I have a few more FAS training course applications in, but they're not on until the end of February and May. Even more irritatingly, the lady who was there when I applied, refused to tell where I was on the waiting list even though I was told about where I stood on previous applications. It's infuriating.

baby and crumble

OP, do you have any other interests, like music, film, reading... I know Clare can seem like a pretty lonely place (I'm not from there but my brother lives there now), but I guarantee you, there's something going on that might interest you.

You could also try volunteering, maybe with a youth group. Youth groups love having people your age, because you're old enough to be left in charge/ run activities but young enough so that the teenagers etc will respond well. There are lots of volunteering opportunities, depending on your interests- if you like sports you could try volunteering with the Special Olympics as a coach or something?

Even if you don't wanto to work directly with other people like that, places like libraries like volunteers, and a regular thing like that will help no end with your confidence, meeting people and also in experience for applying for jobs.

Added plus of volunteering: more females than males volunteer (if that's something that might help)

And if you really can't find something you're interested in, then why not set something up yourself? You like reading? Set up a book club. Into hill walking? Stick up a poster in some shops to see if there are others looking for groups to join. I mean if you're looking for stuff to do, I bet you there are others in the exact same boat, just waiting for someone to set it up. And hey, starting up and running a successful club? Looks great on a job application, shows buckets of enthusiasm and initiative.

I second the idea of going back to do your leaving cert, there are plenty of places you could go to, that do adult education programmes geared towards the LC. With times as they are, people with doctorates are going for data entry jobs, so someone without the leaving is at a severe disadvantage in the jobs market, and even when applying for apprenticeships and the like.

LegacyUser

The library suggestion sounds interesting. What kind of volunteers would they need?

baby and crumble

Well I just remember my Mum volunteering with my local library at home years ago, she would basically be working there for free- so working the desks, checking out books for people, shelving books that have come back in, managing the computers and stuff. Thing is right now so many small libraries and little museums are closing because the Co. Councils can't pay the staff, especially in rural Ireland. No harm in asking around- these days not many council run activities are going to turn down a volunteer. Even if it's only a couple of hours 1 day a week, it can't hurt. Best of luck OP.

Overheal

TKD was actually pretty interesting the short time I was able to do it.

The good thing about those kind of societies is you really do end up meeting people with common interests. I recall we went to a few TKD beers too at one point or another, with the instructor and everything. He was a gas lad, genuine article too right off the boat. And of course when you're out at a TKD beers women do tend to notice a group of handsome looking warriors sitting around at the end of the day enjoying cold brew.

LegacyUser

heart_filled_with_sadness wrote: »

i'm a 20 year old unemployed male with very few friends my own age. my mother always tells me to find clubs or societies but apart from Taekwondo and other martial arts (which don't interest me one bit although I'm so desperate I'm seriously considering it), I can't find any! Left school after Junior Cert, never been to a disco, party or social event with people my own age because I have no friends and just feel I've missed out on so much. All my training course apps get rejected. Life is just....so lonely.

I live in Clare. If anyone can think of suggestions please, please reply. Preferably something that lasts a few weeks or goes on all-year round and people around my age are part of.

For Clare, the GAA and trad music classes are probably the obvious ones. Failing those, how about going to language classes? I met numerous good-looking intelligent women at evening Irish classes back in the day. Language classes are seriously underrated in terms of the vibes going on there between male and female students. Even if you think you're crap at languages, you'll find you're not as bad as you thought you were and that as an adult they are actually great fun.

Alternatively you could join your local branch of Fáilte Isteach and give English lessons for free to foreigners. It will do the world of good for your confidence and you'll meet some lovely cáiliní.

Long term, I'd strongly recommend that you consider going to Third Level as a mature student when you reach 23 years of age, which means start looking into it in the next year or two. Education is the greatest path to freedom, to meeting new people, that you'll ever experience. This is not an exaggeration. It opens doors everywhere. Never mind your JC; that's the past. People are much more motivated when they go back to the education system as adults. There's a thing called the 'catch up' theory which basically says when people feel they are so far behind other people their age and then they focus on changing their reality they catch up much faster and usually surpass all their peers. The world is yours; go for it!

Best of luck.

LegacyUser

I like playing soccer and I'm strong enough to play rugby, but I'm not sure if there are adult teams that randomers can just join.

Ickle Magoo

Your best bet to find clubs and societies locally is to have a look at the message boards at the local supermarkets/newsagents/universities, read the local paper and use your trusty friends google/golden pages.

Best of luck

LaFlammeRouge

Perhaps you could apply to join the British Army as an enlisted man. You have very little options with just a Junior Cert. You need to sort that out. You could even apply to sit the Leaving Cert this year. It really isn't that hard. Just be determined and study hard for 6 months. By September you should be in university and starting your life. Use that as a goal.


Join a cycling club, hill walking, caving club (isn't there loads of caves in the burren?), volunteer for something (civil defence, garda reserve, credit union). The credit union would look great on a CV and they might even keep you on if you're anyway decent.

Godot.

LaFlammeRouge wrote: »

Perhaps you could apply to join the British Army as an enlisted man. You have very little options with just a Junior Cert. You need to sort that out. You could even apply to sit the Leaving Cert this year. It really isn't that hard. Just be determined and study hard for 6 months. By September you should be in university and starting your life. Use that as a goal.


Join a cycling club, hill walking, caving club (isn't there loads of caves in the burren?), volunteer for something (civil defence, garda reserve, credit union). The credit union would look great on a CV and they might even keep you on if you're anyway decent.

6 months?! Sorry, but even with a private tutor that would be very difficult. 6 subjects + projects for whatever. He probably hasn't even done 5th year.

Park Royal

Volunteer for the local Credit union, you help your community and see how other

people cope with life.....and gain various skills...

you may also be sent on training courses.....if selected/ suitable.

LegacyUser

Godot. wrote: »

6 months?! Sorry, but even with a private tutor that would be very difficult. 6 subjects + projects for whatever. He probably hasn't even done 5th year.

The leaving Cert is extremely easy. All the OP has to do is pick 6 subjects that he is interested in, (excluding subjects with practical exams), buy Quick Revision Books (e.g. Less Stress, More Success) and practice previous exam papers. If he gets a C3 in 6 subjects at higher level, he will have 360 points. Then he get a course in pretty much anything. He has plenty of time if he works at it.

Rebelheart

LaFlammeRouge wrote: »

Perhaps you could apply to join the British Army as an enlisted man.

Great advice here, op. Note that when he sees you don't have much education, he assumes you must be stupid enough to join the British Army and occupy somebody else's country under the guise of "civilisation" and "peace" while the government you work for organises the exploitation of oil and other natural resources.

There's a huge lesson there regarding the importance of education and the sort of "opportunities" available to people who don't have it.

Rhys Essien

Join Macra

http://www.macra.ie/what-is-macra

Here is contact for Co Clare

http://www.macra.ie/join

All the best lad.

Caraville

LFR wrote: »

The leaving Cert is extremely easy. All the OP has to do is pick 6 subjects that he is interested in, (excluding subjects with practical exams), buy Quick Revision Books (e.g. Less Stress, More Success) and practice previous exam papers. If he gets a C3 in 6 subjects at higher level, he will have 360 points. Then he get a course in pretty much anything. He has plenty of time if he works at it.

Rubbish. I'm sorry but the chap hasn't been in school for 4 years and you think he'll be able to manage a C3 in 6 honours subjects?! Sure why don't I give up teaching altogether, I'm obviously not needed at all seeing as my students can get 360 points after 5 months study with revision books :rolleyes:

OP, returning to adult education is definitely a good idea, just be realistic about it. Contact your local VEC to see what your options would be, and take your interests into account as that way you're more likely to stick with it.

In the meantime, I suggest that you try your hand hobby-wise at anything at all- you say you like soccer, I'd imagine there are 5-a-side or astroturf leagues somewhere in Clare that you could join. I think the macra suggestion was a great one. Give everything a go, sure you've nothing to lose by trying them out. You might be surprised at what you would end up liking. Maybe check the Clare forum on boards to see if there's anything of interest there- I don't know how active it is but you'd never know.

And whatever you do OP, keep the chin up and don't give up trying out new things. You're only 20, there's so much you can do. Have fun!

LegacyUser

I have a friend in my class in college (mature student) who was in a similar situation a few years ago - had very little educational qualifications, his school mates had left the area and no employment was forthcoming. He's now doing incredibly well in college, working part time, heavily involved with a local political organisation and is one of the most popular lads in the class. Things can improve if you take the right steps for you.

Look at doing a return to educational course. There are some centres set up to help people get LC qualifications etc. Also if you do decide to enrol - try your best to figure out why you left before: was it just that you were too young, could you have had a disability like dyslexia undiagnosed, was the formal education system completely unsuited to you as a person etc etc? If you think it is something likely to be an issue again - there are plenty supports in adult education which could help you.

Investigate doing some voluntary or charitable work. The experience may be useful in the future, it will give you routine in the short term and most importantly will be a way of meeting people.

All questions for groups above good!

Ickle Magoo

Rebelheart, by all means post to offer some constructive alternative advice but this is not the appropriate forum for soapboxing.

If you haven't already done so, please take the time to read the [URL=" http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056181484"]forum rules[/URL] in the charter.

Many thanks.

LegacyUser

Ickle Magoo wrote: »

Rebelheart, by all means post to offer some constructive alternative advice but this is not the appropriate forum for soapboxing.

If you haven't already done so, please take the time to read the [URL=" http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056181484"]forum rules[/URL] in the charter.

Many thanks.

What did he/she say? Think I'd just prefer to know, to be honest.

Ickle Magoo

heart_filled_with_sadness wrote: »

What did he/she say? Think I'd just prefer to know, to be honest.

As things stand, there has been no posts deleted. :cool: